"I missed this, you know?" Caiden wasn't sure if Jake was speaking to him, or just in general, but he enjoyed listening to his voice. Though, it probably wouldn't have been to him, as Jake was seated quite far. All the same, Caiden wanted to believe it was towards him.

"Yeah, we missed you too," Taylor replied, her eyes scanning the room. "How long has it been since you've spent time with us?"

"We spend time together at least once a day," Jake chuckled, signaling to her and himself, "I meant just being around everyone."

"We do not hang out every day, J," Tay shook her head, responding.

"You break into my room every day, T, and force me into some insane adventures," Jake rebutted, "I'm surprised I'm still alive."

"That doesn't count!" Tay stuck her tongue out, childishly, "Plus, it's not breaking in if I have a key."

"That you stole..."

"Whatever, you're here with us and that's what matters."

Jake really did feel a void in his life without the small moments with his friends. He promised himself he would always make time for them, but then he came to the realization that school would take over his life.

Jake could feel nothing but happiness, seeing his friends animatedly speak about anything and everything. He was mostly an observer, but had his moments of sharing his opinions and telling his awful dad jokes.

The lot of them made a stop on their way, since Kai complained several times on how coffee was a necessity, and though it wasn't Jake himself who had whined, he was mentally grateful to Kai for that request. They had only driven thirty minutes and then took a break in a tiny cafe for some coffee and breakfast.

"Do you think today is the day?" Taylor spoke out loud.

"Doubtful," Jake shook his head, his eyes darting towards his other friends.

The will-they-won't-they Landon and Kai saga had always been fun to watch, and was absolutely a crowd pleaser. But, the highlight had to be Bailey and Jenna; the girls were so oblivious and hilarious to observe.

Jake did hope that Taylor would find someone, too. He was sure Kailey was into her, at some point throughout their friendship, but it looked like she was more into herself, than anyone else.

Kailey did like Taylor, but she was a bit too into her own self to care about another human. This was a constant war between the twins, and honestly if it weren't for Bailey being part of the group, Kailey wouldn't have been included.

Jake lived for this - the anticlimactic drama that involved his friend group and their love lives, or lack thereof.

Jake Hart was indeed lacking in the heart department, as well, and he was well aware of it. Though unlike his friends, he didn't make it his number one priority.

A small laugh escaped his lips, watching his friends flirting unknowingly with one another, or just joking around and being themselves.

Sitting around the table with the others, Jake heard the barista call his name. While getting up, Jake listened to the barista, as she called for a Caiden, and naturally, he turned to look around.

He never would have thought that was the boy in the white shirt's name, as he still hadn't really spoken. And yes, Landon should have introduced him already, but it almost seemed like Caiden didn't want to be acknowledged just yet.

"So, Caiden..." Jake tried to start up some small talk, walking beside him to get the coffees the two ordered.

"And you're Jake," Caiden replied, as if he'd known who he was for quite a while.

"That I am," Jake felt an unknown smile slowly grow on his face. It was something about the way Caiden said his name that had his heart doing backflips.

Caiden.

Jake Hart hadn't heard the name before, but he knew now he loved it. He loved how unique and beautiful the name was, just like the boy himself.

"Iced coffee?" Jake heard Caiden ask, pointing at his chosen beverage.

Jake took in the boy's deep, groggy voice, nearly tasting every party of Caiden's voice, instead of the drink, itself.

"Yeah, it's too hot out for regular coffee," the tattooed replied, taking a sip with his straw.

Caiden could feel himself staring at the curly haired boy's lips and neck, and the way he swallowed.

Caiden truly wanted to focus on his own hot beverage, but he was preoccupied.

Getting back to his friends, Jake registered that the setup of how the others and himself were sitting didn't actually give Caiden the opportunity to speak to anyone, as they were all unintentionally separated in several little subgroups.

"Mind if I sit?" Jake found himself asking Caiden.

Jake knew he wanted Caiden to feel included, but he didn't know why his mouth betrayed him, asking without his own permission.

"Sure, Jake," the raven haired boy smiled at the boy before him.

Jake wanted to ask him every question in the book; get to know Caiden from the inside out, but even with his drink in his mouth, he still felt utterly dehydrated.

He could feel his inner self screaming at him to say anything at all, but no sound emerged.

Caiden was a mystery; Jake immediately observed that Caiden was quiet and studied people with intensity.

Jake wanted to slowly disappear into the earth's core with how awkward he felt. Yes, he was naturally discreet, but not to the point of feeling uncomfortable.

Click.

But, Caiden didn't feel misplaced. He was far too occupied with stealing glances from the curly haired boy beside him.

For the tiniest moment, Caiden suppressed a moan threatening to come out.

His mind began to wander, scanning the humans surrounding him. A sudden hypothesis that it was his own roommate who had his remote, enveloped him. That didn't quite add up, though, as Landon had been with him the entire time.

"Oh, by the way, guys," Landon began, grabbing everyone's attention, and pulling Caiden back into reality. "This is my roommate, Caiden. And, I'm so sorry it took me this long, man."

"It's cool, Landon," Caiden spoke, honestly. He did want to get to know everyone, but his main priority was the tattooed boy.

"So, that's Bailey and Jenna beside her, Kailey is right beside her, then Mike, Kai, Taylor, and well, I guess you've met Jake." Landon continued, introducing everyone.

"Hey!" Jenna greeted.

"Hi!" Kai, Kailey, and Bailey said in unison, causing everyone to laugh.

"Sup?" Mike spoke up.

"You're the worst, Lan!" Taylor playfully pushed her friend, before saying hi to Caiden.

"Hi," Caiden's smile was shining, greeting back, and almost immediately after, he could feel himself glancing at Jake.

"How come I've never seen you around Brandon?" Jake found himself asking.

"Were you hoping to see me?" Caiden didn't exactly know how to explain to him that he's only really out at night to find someone to play around with.

"Actually, I was hoping to start avoiding you now that I know what you look like," Jake shrugged, lying through his teeth and somehow he knew that the raven haired boy wouldn't take it seriously.

"Well in that case, you should know it's hard to avoid someone as handsome as me," Caiden wanted to nod in agreement, but desperation was not part of the Jake Hart persona.

Before Caiden could ask Jake why he asked, Taylor proclaimed it was time to leave.

And Caiden didn't mind leaving the cafe. He knew he had another hour or so with Jake in the car, as well as, an entire weekend to see what trouble he can get them both in.

"Jake, wanna drive?" Landon threw the keys, but before Jake could catch them, Caiden intercepted.

"I got it, Landon."

Caiden had the idea that if he were the one driving, he would have more time to converse with the boy who peaked his interest. Jake would be sitting in the passenger's seat, and Landon would probably sit in the back.

"Jake, you got front, right?" Landon asked, mostly because he wanted to nap in the back, but also because he knew Jake had the most sensitive stomach, and if he wasn't driving, he would be beside the driver.

"Absolutely," Jake answered, getting in his seat, once by the car.

****

It was exactly like he remembered it. The feeling of nostalgia hit Jake, eyeing the area.

The house was in a small, secluded region which was right on the water. The driveway was white brick, with various types of colorful flowers on both sides.

Once walking out of the driveway, Jake began recalling coming here when he was little and rolling in the grass, and playing basketball in the court to the left of the greenery.

To get to the lake, which was Jake's favorite part, he would just walk down a small path from the back of the house.

Making a mental note, thoughts of asking Caiden to join him there at some point had him smiling.

Taylor's parents had bought the lake house back when Jake and Taylor were five or six. Jake and Taylor's families had always spent vacations together.

The adults were always under the impression that the pair would be married one day. But, that dream died, when Jake and Taylor both realized they can't stand the other's gender.

****

Caiden stood beside Jake, taking in his surroundings in awe. They could see everyone walk inside, but the two were extremely engaged in admiring the way the weather was incredibly perfect for the scenery.

"Wanna come check the inside out?" Jake finally asked, his bags in his hand.

Caiden nodded, his eyes still scanning around, throwing his bag over his shoulder.

When they entered, they could see the navy velvet couches to the immediate entrance, with the kitchen not too far from it.

The fridge and pantry had been stocked, as per usual, with mostly snacks and assorted alcoholic beverages.

The occasional veggies, fruits, meats, and other real food, were accounted for, too, though the consumption of those foods were rare.

The dining room was to the left, showing off a long, wooden table with ten chairs surrounding it. To the right of it all stood a hallway leading to a bathroom. The status followed, guiding to where four bedrooms and two bathrooms were placed.

"Since we have an extra guest, I guess Jake isn't sleeping alone this time," Kai called, heading to the room he usually slept in.

"Yeah, Jake you're rooming with Caiden," Caiden and Jake were both speechless, hearing Tay shout back from her room.

On one side, both were absolutely looking forward to multiple nights together, but on the other, they were worried about multiple nights together.

The usual room assignments had always been Taylor and Jenna, Bailey and Kailey, Mike, Kai, and Landon, and Jake was on his own.

Jake was always one to enter his dreams alone. He didn't know how to sleep with someone else in the room.

This was the main reason he had a single in the dorm hall he was in. Jake had to get a doctor's note for the special request.

One doesn't sleep at night, as he craved the sounds, while the other required utter exclusivity.

What could possibly go wrong?